Cyclists on the Pavements

My Hubby rides a bike and I don’t want this to be an anti cyclist post. I am aware that cyclists experience many problems, riding on the road, from motorists and potholes. Something must be done to make cycling safer.

This post was inspired by an incident that happened to me recently. I was almost hit by a speeding cyclist, on the pavement, who verbally abused me for not looking where I was going. I didn’t have the opportunity to respond to his insults as he was long gone before I could even blink.

I do have an annoying habit of looking at the floor while I am walking along, mainly because as a writer I am busy mentally plotting, but it is not my responsibility to move out of the way of cyclists who are illegally riding on the pavements.

I have been aware for some time that this is something that is becoming more common. I could not walk for more than fifteen minutes without seeing someone riding on the pavement. Are people actually aware that it is illegal? Maybe they are not.

Every day, while out walking my dog, I have to move out of the way of cyclists. My dog often gets spooked by them or even tries to jump up the bikes. If he knocked someone over it would probably be classed as my fault. I would be the one who wasn’t in control of my dog.

I really feel we need more signs making cyclists aware that it is illegal and that they could be fined. Maybe even make them more aware that if they injure someone it is a serious offence. I am not sure if it would make a difference; motorists still frequently use mobile phones at the wheel even though it is illegal, but we need to be doing something before someone is seriously injured.